Method of forming signs



Nov. 7, 1950 J. s. HARRISON 2,528,827

METHOD 0F FORMING SIGNS Filed Jan. 3l, 1946 Y@ [VMI-@i i @ai mi@ WM@ filF1 fr5 FiA www@ 21 21 Figa I NVENTOR.

E ATTORNEK Patented Nov. 7, 17950 Joseph S. Harrison, Marietta, Ga.,assignor to The Coca-Cola Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporationl ofDelawareV Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,533 K y Thisinvention, as indicated, relates to a composite sign and method ofmaking the same. More particularly, it comprises a sign formed ofindividual letter panels progressively set up on a supporting surface ofglass or suitable sheet material wherein such letter panels are inclosely abutting relation in a single plane, and it also includes themethod of forming such sign. The panels are preferably of rectangulariiexible material or thin translucent sheets which may be of agelatinous character or ofv similar composition, and are successivelyset up panel by panel and abutted with the adjacent letter panels in 4Claims. (Cl. 40-125) a line contact of such close adherence and in thesame plane that the meeting line cannot 'be detected even by reflectedlight. The invention includes the completed sign formed ofY such unitsalone or in combination with other'types of units, as well as the methodof forming such sign.

In particular, the invention includes the method of setting up adjacentletter panels of thin gelatinous adhesive material or the like in spacedrelation with their margins overlapping preliminary to their finaladhesion to the surface and the severing of the two overlapped layers bya thin cutting instrument such as a razor blade, followed by the liftingof the panel margins and the removal of the severed strips preliminaryto firmly pressing the meeting line of the letter panels against theirsupporting surface in permanent adherence thereto. 'I'he steps recitedare repeated as to each additional letter panel successively positionedto complete the sign.

It is to be noted that when letter panels are referred to that anyconventional indicia or ornament suitable for forming letter panel typesigns may be used. These *arev substantially rectangu" lar unitspreferably adhesive coated providing a' letteror other matter .with areaof the adjacent background. Y

The principal object of the present invention is'to pro-vide a sign madeup of individual letter panels joined at their side edges with direct`listo-provider a method of making a sign by adhering letter panels ofthin, adhesive material, preferablyV of exible gelatinous translucentunits, progresl svely to a surface, before final settingof such adhesivematerial, in predetermined letter spacing positionwith overlappingmargins and form-Y ing successively an ridentical meeting line for theadjacent panels sho-wing a uniformly level reflecting surface over theentire sign.

" Other and further objects vof the invention will appear in the courseof the following description. To the accomplishment of the foregoing andrelated ends, said invention, then, consistsv of the means and methodhereinafter fully dev scribed and particularly pointed out inthe claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain structure eme.A bodying the invention and method of making thesame, such disclosed means constituting-however; but several of variousstructural forms and methods of making the same, in which the prin cipleof the invention may be used. f

In said annexed drawing: l

Figurel is a rear elevation showing the'glass of a show Window or doorwith a sign embodying the principles of the invention in the course ofapplication thereto, with a preliminary overlapl ping of the adjacentletter and word panels.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the overlappedpanels and the method of forming an identical abutment line bysimultaneously cutting the overlapped portions. y

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figures 1 and`2 illustrating a method ofremoving the severed strip from the uppermost panel.

Figure 4 isa View similar to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive showing a'methodofremoving the severed strip from the innermost panel.

Figure 5 isa View similar to Figures 1 to 4in'- elusive showing thecompleted sign with'A all theA panels abutted along identical ymeetinglines andy presenting a level upper surface free ofrangular reflections.Figure 6 is a View similar to Figures 1 to 5 in` elusive showingA theapplication of a sign in upwardly faced position toa non-transparentsur" face.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view greatly enlarged toillustrate the merging of the adjacent panels of a uniformly levelsurface along an identical marginal line of abutment; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the method of positioning-adjacentletter panelsv in accordance with the accepted standards for.spacing-the respectiveletters.v v.- f 1'.;

line I3.

' I and word panels 2 positioned on the inner surface of a window 3 inhorizontal alignmentv so as to show from the outside the vsign DotsCandy. Y

',I'he sign units are preferably formed of a thin translucent flexible'element `of adhesive charac-4 teristics and preferably havinga'gelatinous coat,

ing whereby on moistening adherence to the window surface will beincreasingly established as the moisture evaporates. The unitspreferably are somewhat slow-setting in order to permit the forming ofan identical line of abutment of the series of letter panels as will bepresently described.

In forming the sign illustrated, the word panel Candy is secured inhorizontal alignment on the' window to take up proportionate space asbalanced against the name of the owner, in this instance Dotsv Theletter panels may be placed on the window in either direction..

4 ure '7 wherein the letter-.panels I5 and I6 lie in a single planetogetherwith their line of abutment I'I which, by reason of thecharacter of the thin adhesive material, merges into a substantiallyintegral ksurface and provides rno multiple planes of reflection toemanate from the body of the Y sign.

The proportionate space to bev occupied by the owners name and themerchandise is measured 'in advance and then one or more blank panels lare positioned adjacent the margin of the window followed in successionby the letterpanels v 5, 6, I, and the characterpanel 8, and the finalletter panelrS. Each of these panels is abutted along an identicalmeeting line I I) in thef manner presently to be described in relationto the'nnal panel 9 and the word panel 2. The word'panel 2 is shown as asingleelongated panel and is -suit' v establish an identical cuttingline. A cut is made by a sharp instrument such as a razor blade alongline- I3 and the overlap I2 is thus severed along the line I3 and may bereadily removed. The

margin of the letter panel 9 is then lifted so-as to expose the severedstrip I4 of the word panel 2 which is readily removed. rSince there isan identical cutting line for the letter panel S and the Word panelCandy theyrwill meet along the cutting line I3 and may be firmly pressedinto nal adherence to the inner surface offthe win- Y dow. Y Y e Wherethe sign is to be applied to a mirror or metal or plastic supportingsurface or the like, substantially the same procedure is followed, theletters, however, being Aapplied in regular order to be read from thenear side of the surface to'whichA the sign is to be applied. In suchcase, the letter panel 9 has overlapped the word panel 2 as shown inFigure .6 and the cutting line I3 has been established at anintermediate position and the severed strip I 4 is ready for removalfrom the supporting surface and the severed stripfIZ` of the letterpanel is likewise ready for separation from the margin of the letterpanel preliminary to the parts being abutted on the identical meetingThe manner in which the surfaces of thev letter panels merge with eachother is illustrated .Figa

Thus itfwill be noted that a'signis provided formed of a series ofsubstantially rectangular letter panels lof thin adhesive nexiblematerial verse side adjacent to the top with the words-v v Top-Back, andhas short lines numbered 2, I and- 3 at the top and bottom left handmargin designed to be overlapped in accordance with the ytop of adjacentlettersrin alignment with one of the three lines so indicated.` Sincethe overlapping panels are moistenedin advance of their application tothe surfaceand are covered with slowly setting adhesive, vthe panel maybe laid down firmlyin position and thecutting line es tablished at apoint approximatelymidvvay of the overlap sections. --The cuttingjlineis preferably at least 1A!" inwardly vfrom the end of the under"`section softhat adequaterbody may be Vprovided to permit ready removalofthe severed strip of the under-section. The method thus provides forestablishing la predeterminedv letter spaced relation between each ofthe letter panels and at the same time permits the abutment of suchYletter panels along an identical marginal line of'contact. l

As has been indicated, it is not desired to limit the application of theinvention to letter or wordl panels as Such, but use may beV made ofvarious ornamental designs or parts vof larger designs adapted forindefinite extension over various, areas of the supporting member and ineach instance an identical cutting line may be used to provide exactregistry of'the marginal linesofthe design which are vto be carriedfromfone panel to an adjacent panelrw-Ih this mannerl a sign may beconstructed vvhichfwhenv viewedA by reected light, will not disclose themeeting linesr of the several parts ofthe signvv and thus the sign;`will be, in effect, free-from multiple reflections" and `will have theappearance' of -an integrally formed sign, notwithstanding that it is-offgcomf" positestructure. v f

Other forms may be employed lembo'dyingftlfie features of my inventioninsteadof'theone 'here explained, change being made inv the form orconstruction, provided the elements stated by .anyV j I thereforeparticularly point out and distinct'-V ly claim as my invention:

`1. vA method 'of forminglva sign'from letterpanels of thin adhesivematerial which comprises the l'steps Vof Aadhering va lettori panelselectedr comprising a letter area and a marginal background area to asurface along a predetermined line, mounting a second letter panel withits marginal background area adjacent said initial panel with theadjacent marginal areas in overlapping relation before the setting ofthe adhesive, severing the overlapped margins simultaneously along anidentical line of severance, removing the severed portions, and pressingthe panels against the supporting surface With the abutting edgesmerging in uniform contact and continuity of the sign surface,

2. A method of forming a sign from selected letter panels of thinadhesive gelatinous material which comprises the steps of adhering aletter panel to a surface along a predetermined line, mounting a secondletter panel adjacent said initial panel in overlapping relation to theadjacent margin thereof before the setting of the adhesive, severing theoverlapped margins simultaneously along an identical line of severance,removing the severed portions, and pressing the panels against thesupporting surface with their abutting edges merging in uniform contactand continuity of the sign surface.

3. A method of forming a sign from selected letter panels of thinadhesive gelatinous material which comprises the steps of adhering aletter panel to a surface along a predetermined line, mounting a secondletter panel in predetermined letter spaced relation adjacent saidinitial panel in overlapping relation to the adjacent margin thereofbefore the setting of the adhesive, Severing the overlapped marginssimultaneously along an identical line of severance, removing thesevered portions, and pressing the panels against the supporting surfacewith their abutting edges merging in uniform contact and continuity ofthe sign surface. f

4. A method of forming a sign from selected letter panels of thinadhesive gelatinous material which comprises the steps of moistening andadhering an initial letter panel to a surface along a predeterminedline, moistening and adhering a second letter panel adjacent saidinitial panel in overlapping relation to the adjacent margin thereofbefore the setting of the adhesive, severing the overlapped marginssimultaneously along an identical line of severance, removing thesevered portions, and pressing the panels against the supporting surfacewith their abutting edges merging in uniform contact and continuity ofthe sign surface.

JOSEPH S. HARRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

